How do you know if a teenager needs help

As noted by the medical psychologist of the Volgograd Regional Children's Clinical Hospital Valery Nemirova, adolescents find it difficult not only to understand their own feelings, but also to cope with them. The task of adults is to help the child show emotions environmentally, without harming either himself or others.

The emotional state of a teenager is influenced by many factors: the situation in the family, educational load, relations with peers, hormonal changes, individual characteristics of the nervous system. With an unfavorable combination of circumstances, the risk of developing anxiety, adaptation disorders, depressive episodes, panic attacks and other problems requiring the intervention of specialists increases.

Warning Signals: What to Pay Attention to

According to the regional health service, such manifestations as:

refusal to eat or expressed desire to lose weight;

prolonged immersion in gadgets, loss of former interests and hobbies;

lack of friendship, isolation from peers;

statements about their own unattractiveness or worthlessness;

neglect of personal hygiene, sloppyness;

increased irritability, tearfulness;

verbal or physical aggression;

traces of self-harming behaviour;

use of alcohol, tobacco, narcotic substances.

Particular attention should be paid to the mood of the teenager on the way to school and after returning home, as well as how he responds to classmates and school life. Regular confidential conversations help to stay aware of his experiences and notice difficulties in time.

Self-regulation: Learning to manage stress

Valeria Nemirova emphasizes that there are many techniques of self-regulation, and it is important to choose the right ones and apply them regularly to achieve a sustainable effect.

One of the basic is the Stop technique, which helps control an acute reaction. It is done in four steps: stop in the moment and refrain from immediate reaction, mentally take a step back from the situation, focus on breathing, look around and concentrate on current sensations. Then return to the situation and consciously choose the most appropriate action.

To relieve muscle tension helps shaking. You need to get up, relax your arms and legs, gently but intensely shake your hands, then elbows, shoulders and feet for one to two minutes.

Beneficial effect on the whole body regular physical activity: walking, exercise, training in the hall, swimming, game sports. Physical activity contributes to the production of endorphins, helps to cope with stress and strengthens overall health.

Additionally, it is recommended to observe the regime of the day, taking at least eight hours to sleep and it is desirable to go to bed no later than 23:00; adhere to a balanced diet, avoid overeating and prolonged fasting; limit the time of using gadgets.

Effective ways to reduce anxiety are also diaphragmatic breathing and the ability to talk about your experiences – whether it’s talking to a close adult in a calm environment or consulting a psychologist.

Advice to parents: Start with yourself

In adolescence, parents remain key support figures. However, before giving advice to your child, it’s important to learn to be aware of your own emotions and find healthy ways to manage stress. A calm, confident adult is the best example for a teenager who learns to live in a world of complex feelings.